Ontogeny and Marginal Growth in the Leaf of Eubrachion ambiguum

Marginal growth in the leaf of Eubrachion ambiguum, a viscaceoushemiparasite, has been investigated. This growth is accomplishedby the marginal meristem comprising the marginal initials aloneas has been described earlier by Hara (1957) in Daphne odora.To the best of the author's knowledge the present communicationis the second report of such a type of marginal growth in thedicotyledons. Phylogenetically, at least in Eubrachion ambiguum, it probablyrepresents a reduced rather than a primitive feature.     

In vitro Transformation of Ovules into Rudimentary Pistils in Nicotiana tabacum L.

In our experiments with in vitro cultured young ovaries of Nicotianatabacum, var. havanensis we observed greening and extensivegrowth of the ovular primordia. Four to 6 weeks after inoculationa mass of rudimentary pistils bearing secondary ovules was tobe seen on the protruding placenta. Histological investigationproved these pistilloids not to be adventive organs arisingfrom callusing tissue, but the result of altered growth of theoriginal ovu1ar prirnordia. Though comparatively rare, reportson spontaneous ovular pistillody, including two Nicotiana species,exist in the teratological literature. However, whereas thesespon taneous ovular transformations are described as carpel-likestructures with marginally inserted secondary ovules, the invitro proliferating ovules develop into rudimentary pistilswith an early differentiating and very prominent central placenta.An interpretation of these differences is proposed.     

Two Types of Embryo Sac Development in Scrophularia himalensis Royle

The development of the embryo sac in Scrophularia himalensisRoyle (tribe Cheloneae, Scrophulariaceae) has been investigated.The ovules are anatropous, unitegminal and tenuinucellar. Twotypes of embryo sac development—the monosporic (polygonumtype) and the bisporic (allium type)—coexist in this species.This is the first record of its kind in Scrophularia as previousworkers reported only the Polygonum type of development in thetribe Cheloneae.     

The Endophytic System of Arceuthobium minutissimum, the Indian Dwarf Mistletoe

The Indian dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium minutissimum Hook f.is the most diminutive dicotyledonous stem parasite on Pinusexcelsa. The endophytic system is well developed, having a largenumber of anastomosing strands in the cortex and sinkers penetratingthe medullary rays in wood. The cortical strand is protostelicwith the central tracheary elements, the vessels, surroundedby paren-chymatous cells. An earlier report of absence of vesselsseems to be erroneous. The growth of the cortical strands iseffected by an apical cell. The sinkers typically associatedwith the rays of host, are composed of parenchymatous cellsand tracheary elements including vessels. They make contactswith the cells of the ray through pits present in the trachearyelements. The sinkers cause hypertrophy and even fusion of twoor more rays to form a composite medullary ray. The tracheidsof the host tissue also become stunted and contorted in shape.These observations are in agreement with those of other investigatorson American host species for Arceuthobium.     

Degradation of Protein Bodies in Germinating Seeds of Brassica campestris L. var. sarson Prain

Histochemical investigations were carried out on dry and germinatingseeds of Brassica campestris var. sarson, to study the degradationof protein bodies with globoidal inclusions. During germination,a wave of protein body degradation sets in from the radicularend of the embryo, passing through the hypocotyl and shoot apex,and ending in the cotyledons. The digestion of protein bodiesis of the internal type. The various isolated parts of the embryoshowed a similar pattern of protein body digestion to that ofthe whole embryo, except that in some cells the globoids persistedeven after complete digestion of protein bodies; the rate wasfaster in the comparatively more expanded part of the isolatedorgans. No specific factor controlling the initiation of thewave of protein body digestion could be ascertained. Brassica campestris var. sarson, yellow sarson, seed, germination, protein bodies, degradation     

A Persisting Cellulosic Wall of Microspore Mother Cells during Microsporogenesis in Allium tuberosum Rottl. and Cyclamen persicum Mill

Light microscopic studies were carried out on the anthers ofAllium tuberosum Rottl. and Cyclamen persicum Mill. Callosedeposition is initiated within the primary wall round each microsporemother cell during early prophase of meiosis I and is of maximumthickness at the tetrad stage. The original cellulosic wall,contrary to earlier reports for other species, persists aroundthe microspore mother cells until the late tetrad stage in bothspecies. In C. persicum, it dissolves to release the callose-encasedtetrads, and in A. tuberosum, il dissolves simultaneously withcallose at the time of release of microspores. Allium tuberosum Rottl., Cyclamen persicum Mill., microsporogenesis, microspore mother cell